<div>I still can't believe this is finally happening. After nearly a decade of binding, I finally have my surgery date. <strong>On May 6th, 2025 (yes, in just over a week!) I will be undergoing this lifechanging operation</strong>, and lifechanging in my case is not an exaggeration.
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<div>My name is Jacob, and I'm a 29 years old trans man. Born and raised in the bible belt, it's been an uphill battle my entire existence to live as my authentic self. Without any support from my family, it wasn't until I left my home state and met my amazing partner that I was able to start my transition. Thanks to her support, encouragement, and a little bit of butt-kicking in the right direction, I started HRT in 2018 and have been on it ever since.
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<div>Within a few years, I fully passed as male in every corner of my life. While I'm incredibly grateful for this privilege, <strong>I live every day in immense physical discomfort</strong>. Having DD breasts, I do NOT have the option of leaving my house without a binder on. Down here in the Florida panhandle and working a job alongside conservative men, it's a matter of safety. But I can't survive another summer like this. I am constantly in pain, winded, sweaty, uncomfortable in my clothes, and just downright exhausted. I have to spend hours recovering after work every evening, which means all other avenues of my life get put on hold.
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<div>I'm tired of having to wait for "the right time" or to save up enough money. If it kept going on like this, I'd wait forever. <strong>I just want to live my life.</strong> And with the current political climate, my very existence is at stake. Who knows how bad things may get in just another couple years under this administration? Would gender affirming surgery even be legal anymore? All I know is I don't want to wait around and find out.
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<div><strong>My partner and I ended up taking out a personal loan of $15,000 to afford the surgery.</strong> Just over $10k of that goes to the operation itself, while the rest is going towards medication, recovery items, and travel expenses as my surgeon is almost 3000 miles away in Seattle, Washington. <strong>My insurance does not cover top surgery</strong>, and even if it did, there are no surgeons in network that provide it, so this was the best option for us.
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<div>I'm making this GoFundMe to help us pay off the loan and afford any other out-of-pocket costs the trip may entail, such as transportation or food. We'll also have to start loan payments on the 4th, which will be around $400 a month. <strong>I don't get PTO at my job, and I don't qualify for paid medical leave, so I'll be losing at least two weeks' worth of pay to make this journey </strong>(potentially more depending on my recovery) which will greatly affect our ability to afford the payments. I know it will be worth it, so please, anything you can spare will help us stay afloat while I recover!
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<div>I cannot wait for when I can exist without pain, when I can leave the house without worrying about hiding my chest under layers of clothing, when I can work longer hours without the dire consequences, when I can simply breathe without restriction, when I can be free in my own body. Thank you for taking the time to read! Even if you can't donate, it would mean so much if you would share. And please wish me luck!
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<div>Jacob
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Jorge Acosta

Anonymous

Colton Griggs

Natalie Scullion

Anamarie Alcazar

Emily Mitulski

Reuben Kaufman

Cole West

Mason Jaramillo

Phoe Beckett

Joey Salcedo

Eli Erickson

Amanda Toledo

Jacob's Urgent Top Surgery & Recovery Fund!

Jacob's Urgent Top Surgery & Recovery Fund!

Still $12,240 to go. Help us build momentum.